Category Archives: Sports

Gouhar fashions Indian win

Sports, , ,

Hyderabad : 

Sri Lankan captain Shashikala Siriwardena’s ploy to bat first and pile up a big total which could put the Indians under pressure backfired terribly as her batswomen failed to contend with the guile of left-arm spinner Gouhar Sultana.

The Hyderabad spinner, who bowled in two spells and finished with astounding figures of 8-4-4-4, spun a web of deceit from which the Sri Lankans failed to extricate themselves and were bowled out for a paltry 76.

The hosts then rode on skipper Mithai Raj’s unbeaten 34 romped to a seven-wicket win with 105 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series at the Dr YSR ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Siriwardena, on the eve of the match, had said that they would like to post a 200 plus score if they batted first. The Lankan skipper won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. But there after it turned out to be nightmare for the Lankan batswomen as they were unable to negotiate the Indian bowling.

Indian pacer and former skipper Jhulan Goswami struck the first blow when she bowled Chamari Atapattu (6) with 13 on the board. Five runs later, Goswami sent back Deepika Rasangika (4) and the Lankans never really recovered from those early blows.

Opener Yasoda Mendis and Siriwardena tried to stem the rot with a 14-run stand for the third wicket – the highest of the Lankan innings – but mediumpacer Niranjana Natarajan trapped Mendis leg before. Mendis, who made 17 off 43 balls (2×4) was the only batswoman to reach double figures.

Gouhar then ran through the middle order. The 25-year-old spinner scalped four wickets to reduce Lankans to 51 for seven. Gouhar, who has played 49 ODIs thus far, recorded her career best figures.

Debutants left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad (2/11) and offie Sneh Rana (1/7) then ended the Lankan innings.

India, in reply, lost openers Smriti Mandhana (13) and Karuna Jain (6) with 25 on the board. However, Anagha Deshpande and Mithali added 43 for the third wicket to ensure a smooth victory for their side.

Anagha (23; 54b, 2×4) fell at 68 but vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur (1 no) helped Mithali get the required runs without much ado. Mithali remained unbeaten on 34 off 59 balls with six hits to the fence as India reached 80 for three.

“It was a good win today. I am very happy with the performance of the girls. To begin my stint as a coach with a win is an auspicious beginning,” coach Purnima Rau said.

“Gouhar bowled beautifully and I am thrilled that she recorded her career best performance,” she added.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka: C Atapattu b Goswami 6, Y Mendis lbw Niranjana 17, D Rasangika c Jain b Goswami 4, S Siriwardene c Goswami b Sultana 1, C Polgampola c Kaur b Sultana 1, E Lokusuriyage c Mithali b Sultana 9, D Manodara c Niranjana b Sultana 4, O Ranasinghe lbw Rana 6, S Weerakkody c Rana b Gayakwad 8, U Prabodhani (not out) 3, C Gunaratne c Jain b Gayakwad 6. Extras: (B2, LB1, W7, NB1) 11.

Total: (in 39.3 overs) 76.

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-18, 3-32, 4-34, 5-41, 6-46, 7-51, 8-65, 9-65.

Bowling: J Goswami 8-3-16-2, N Niranajana 10-0-35-1, G Sultana 8-4-4-4, RS Gayakwad 7.3-3-11-2, S Rana 6-4-7-1.

India: K Jain c Weerakkody b Gunaratne 6, S Mandhana c Weerakkody b Siriwardene 13, A Deshpande st Surangika b Ranasinghe 23, M Raj (not out) 34, H Kaur (not out) 1. Extras: (B1, W2) 3.

Total: (for 3 wickets, 32.3 overs) 80.

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-25, 3-68.

Bowling: U Prabodhani 2-0-7-0, C Gunaratne 10-6-16-1, S Siriwardene 10-3-20-1, C Polgampola 4.3-2-10-0, O Ranasinghe 4-1-15-1, D Rasangika 2-0-11-0.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad> Jhulan Goswami / by Solomon S Kumar, TNN / January 20th, 2014

Zesty Zareen lands gold in Serbia

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

After Mary Kom’s fabulous effort in London Olympics, yet another woman boxer from India did the country proud.

Nikhat Zareen, the 17-year-old Andhra Pradesh pugilist, won a gold medal in the third Nations Cup International Boxing Tournament in Novi Sad, Serbia.

She defeated Paltceva Ekaterina of Russia 3-0 in the 51kg final to follow up on her success in the Youth World Boxing Championship in Bulgaria in September, when she had finished runner-up.

(Nikhat Zareen defeated…)
(Nikhat Zareen defeated…)

Such was Nikhat’s mastery that none of her opponents logged a point against the Indian in the knockout rounds. Nikhat blanked Abdi Malika of Algeria 3-0 in the quarterfinals and Ballentine of the Netherlands 5-0 in the semifinals.

The pre-quarterfinals was no different as she defeated a Russian 3-0. “I’m happy,” was Nikhat’s first reaction when she called her parents to confirm the good news.

“It was an easy bout but the achievement is yet to sink in,” Nikhat told her sister.

It was Nikhat’s father, Jameel Ahmed, a real estate businessman in Nizamabad, who noticed the spark in her and enlisted her in athletics when she was 12.

During her brief stint as an athlete, she caught the eye of Dronacharya boxing coach I Venkateswara Rao of Visakhapatnam.

She joined Rao at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Visakhapatnam. And the rest, as they say, is history. Within a year, she was declared the `golden best boxer’ at the Erode Nationals in 2010.

She went on to clinch gold in the flyweight division at the AIBA Women’s Junior and Youth World Championship in Turkey in 2011.

The bright young talent from the state is now targeting a gold at the Youth Olympics to be held in China. “My goal is to win gold at the Youth Olympics and qualify for the 2016 Olympics,” she told TOI.

Considering the progress she’s made in quick time, and her steely determination, it will be no surprise if Nikhat gets more laurels to the country.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Boxing> London Olympiancs / by M. Ratnakar, TNN / January 13th, 2014

Spreading joy during Christmas

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Former state athlete, Douglas Johnson, has been celebrating Christmas for the past eight years in the company of underprivileged children and their families.

(Spreading joy during Christmas )
(Spreading joy during Christmas )

Every year during Christmas, his modest two-bedroom home in Lalaguda, also called Little England of Secunderabad, buzzes with activity. There is food in abundance and gifts enveloped in colourful wrapping paper. While every family adorns their house with a glittering Christmas tree, Douglas invites underprivileged children to come and share the joy of decorating the tree. For the past eight years, the Johnson family has been playing host to these children and sharing Christmas with them.

Ask Douglas what prompted him to celebrate in such a way, and he says, “As a child, I never knew the joy of decorating a Christmas tree because we could never afford it. We were a family of eight and my father’s earnings were humble. In those days, a Christmas tree would cost around `100-`150, which was almost like a week’s meal for the family. My siblings and I would visit friends and relatives to see the Christmas tree. My eyes would pop up looking at it. It’s like you want it badly, but you know you cannot afford it. That’s when I decided to celebrate Christmas with children who cannot afford it.”

Every year, his house is thrown open to anyone who wants to celebrate Christmas. “This year, I had an early Christmas celebration. The numbers went up to around 450 people, so I had to celebrate it at the Sacred Heart Church. There was a small mass, children played some games and decorated the tree. Later, they indulged in an elaborate spread, cut a cake and went back with their gifts and goodies,” says Douglas, adding that this bash is held in the memory of his father, Philip Johnson.

A champion of state level relay race for ten years (1987-1997), Douglas has also represented Osmania University Athlete team at the nationals. Currently employed with the South Central Railway, Douglas saves a decent sum from his salary every month for this event and the rest is contributed by his siblings, who are residing abroad.

According to Douglas, Christmas is all about putting a smile on everyone’s face. “For those who can afford it, Christmas is a festival of joy, but for the ones who can’t, it’s a stark reality of their financial condition. There is no better joy than seeing a smile on a child’s face — that, to me, is the real spirit of Christmas,” he says.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Life & Style> People> Christmas Tree / by Dipika Pillay, TNN / December 24th, 2013

Vijayawada archers bag five medals at world event in Singapore

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Archers from Volga Archery Academy who won medals at the World Open (stage 2 indoor archery championship) in Singapore recently. / Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
Archers from Volga Archery Academy who won medals at the World Open (stage 2 indoor archery championship) in Singapore recently. / Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu

City archers, known for winning medals at international fixtures, have done it again by pocketing five medals, including two gold medals, at the World Open Indoor Archery championship that concluded recently in Singapore. Archers of Volga Archery Academy in Gunadala also had an opportunity to take part in the indoor format for the first time.

“Both outdoor and indoor formats have different techniques. What matters in indoor is accuracy and velocity of wind will not be a factor. The archers can learn the art of perfect release (of the arrow) in indoor competitions,” says academy chairman Ch. Satyanarayana. He said that the targets are kept at a distance of 18 metres unlike outdoors where the target is placed 50-metres away from archers.

Memorable

For Poorvasha Shinde, the experience in Singapore was memorable as she won gold in the under-16 compound segment blanking an archer from host country 6-0 and bowing out in the quarterfinal in the senior division.

Myneni Sai Charith bagged the other yellow metal in the under-14 compound final taming a Singaporean 6-4, while B. Deeraj in the under-14 compound segment settled for a silver crashing out to a Sri Lankan in the final. K. Venkadadri in the under-12 division and Rohit Manivarma in the under-14 compound segment won a silver and bronze respectively to take the medals tally to five.

“Archers of our academy are regulars at the indoor meets and for the past four years we are sending them to help get used to alien conditions,” says J. Rama Rao, a senior coach.

Before leaving for Singapore, the academy archers helped Andhra Pradesh bag the silver medal in the compound final losing out to Jharkhand in the junior nationals at Assam. Archers are preparing for the senior nationals which are scheduled to be held at Jamshedpur from December 22 to 26.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by J. R. Sridharan / Vijayawada – December 19th, 2013

Bike rally to mark Neelam centenary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Sports

BikeRallyHF01jan2014

Anantapur:

A motorbike rally was organized at the Nehru Yuva Kendram here, on Friday, to mark the concluding centenary celebrations of the former President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy.

The bike rally was to remember the services of the first Chief Minister, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, who made sincere efforts to improve irrigation facilities from Tungabhadra reservoir during his tenure.
He was the initiator of High Level Main Canal from Tungabhadra reservoir.

As part of the concluding function of the centenary celebrations of the former President, who was native of Illur village, in Anantapur district, the district authorities have organized the motorbike rally towards the Tungabhadra reservoir, about 150 kms away from here and back.

Also, President Pranab Mikherjee would visit the mahasamadhi, of Sri Satya Saibaba at Prasanthinilyam, during his visit to the district. Initially, the President was not scheduled to visit the mahasamadhi and was to return on a special aircraft to Prasanthinilayam airport.

The official sources said, President Pranab Mukherjee would attend the concluding function of the centenary celebrations of former President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy.

Additional forces are being posted at Puttaparthi and Anantapur on the occasion of the President’s visit. The President would arrive at around 12.30 pm on December 23, at Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy stadium.

Later the Governor, ESL Narasimhan, would release the book on Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and present the   first copy to the President.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / December 21st, 2013

They Said What? Mirza on Men

Sports, World Opinion
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons

“When I was growing up I would go to tennis and people would come up to my parents and they would ridicule them and say she’s a girl from Hyderabad, you think she is going to play Wimbledon? But obviously my parents didn’t care.”— Sania Mirza, to NDTV , while discussing the high rate of female infanticide in her native India.

Mirza, now 27, is the best female player India has ever produced. She was ranked as high as No. 27 in singles (one career WTA title) and No. 7 in doubles. She’s the first Indian woman to have won a Grand Slam title (mixed doubles, at the Australian and French Opens). She’s also been relatively flamboyant and outspoken for a young Muslim lady from India.

She made her comments above during an interview in which one of the topics was the high rate of female infanticide in India—according to the United Nations, 12 million girls were aborted in India in the past two years, often because they were viewed as potential financial burdens.

Mirza went on to say, “For everything we achieve, why do we need a guy? . . . it’s our responsibility to try and educate people in India that having a girl is plus not a minus.”

Whatever the intent, her comment about not needing “a guy” surely got some people’s noses out of joint. But it wouldn’t be the first time her independent thoughts and actions stirred controversy.

In 2005, a Muslim scholar issued a fatwa regarding the skimpy tennis clothing Mirza (and all her peers) wear, saying it was not suited to Islam. She also faced prosecution under India’s Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act a few years ago, when she was photographed at the Hopman Cup resting her feet—and showing their soles—above an Indian flag. Her comments on safe sex once created a stir (she clarified her stance when the controversy erupted).

In fact, the collision of values was so strong at times that Mirza declared in 2008 that she would stop appearing in tournaments in India. If nothing else, security officials probably heaved a great sigh of relief; this was, after all, a Muslim woman who had played mixed doubles with a Jew, Shahar Peer. (Mirza returned to competition in India in 2010.)

India has provided tennis with a host of interesting characters, starting with Ramanathan Krishnan. He was a two-time Wimbledon semifinalist (1960 and ’61), and his son, Ramesh, was an ATP staple and three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist in the 1980s. Vijay Amritraj (who had two brothers who also played professionally) won 16 singles titles and posted a career-high ranking of No. 16 in 1980. Then there’s pugnacious doubles genius Leander Paes, an eight-time Grand Slam men’s doubles winner.

All of them, and others, were more successful than Mirza. But none have been as colorful or controversial. Even Mirza’s wedding in 2010 caused a national uproar when it was confirmed shortly before her great day that her fiancé (Shoaib Malik) was already married. Malik obtained a divorce and wed Mirza five days later.

Like the lady said, who needs guys?

source: http://www.tennis.com / Tennis / Home> Pro Game> Commentary / by Peter Bodo / Friday – December 06th, 2013

Watch a Tyson in the making

Records, All, Sports
Nikhat Zareen, who won the silver medal in the recent World Youth women's boxing championship, shares a lighter moment with the young Abdur Rehman at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad. / -Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Nikhat Zareen, who won the silver medal in the recent World Youth women’s boxing championship, shares a lighter moment with the young Abdur Rehman at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad. / -Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

12-year-old Abdul Rehman has won five gold, three silver and two silver in the School Games competitions

potential new star is rising from the boxing area in the city. Abdur Rehman (12) has caught the eye of the coaches and boxing connoisseurs with his natural movements while sparring with the punching bag.

The eighth standard student of St. Andrews School in Saidabad took to the sport watching the video tapes of Mohammad Ali and Mike Tyson has already made a mark at the national level having won five gold, three silver and two silver in the School Games competitions.

“I have rarely seen such a young boy with such lithe movements. Even some regular trainees in the seniors age group group can’t match him,” insists SAAP boxing coach Omkar Yadav.

He even impressed the likes of World Youth Boxing silver medallist Nikhat Zareen.

“He looks really good and appears to have so much of natural talent,” remarked Zareen after watching him in practise few days ago.

“I want to emulate Zareen,” says the shy Abdur Rehman, nicknamed Maaz. He will be soon competing in the Sub-junior nationals. Given the rich history of boxers from Hyderabad and with a dedicated coach in Omkar Yadav, this young boy could well bring laurels to the city.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – October 16th, 2013

P V Sindhu wins Macau Open

Records, All, Sports

 

PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu

Hyderabad:

The rising star of Indian badminton, P.V . Sindhu of Hyderabad, continued her remarkable run on Sunday when she won the Macau Open Grand Prix.

In the final, World No.11 Sindhu, seeded first at the tournament, registered a brisk 21-15, 21-12 victory against seventh-seeded Canadian Michelle Li.

Sindhu was in dominant form right from the start of the match. In the first game, Sindhu reeled off several winners to take a 7-0 within just two minutes of the start of play before Li gathered her wits.

But the lanky shuttler -one of badminton’s most promising players -refused to relent against the World No.30.

Despite her opponent clawing her way back to 69, Sindhu took the first game 21-15 in only 16 minutes.

Compared to the first, the second game started on a slightly even note with both players going neck and neck for the first few minutes.

Li was more dominant closer to the net while Sindhu was the stronger player at the baseline.

With the scores level on 5-5, Sindhu broke the deadlock to go into the lead and was soon placed comfortably at 11-6. From there, the World No.11 did not ease up on the momentum as she piled on the points, showing better control to emerge champion in the lop-sided encounter.

According to chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, at whose academy in Gachibowli Sindhu trains, they worked on Sindhu’s game after she pulled out of the China Open. “At the Academy, we worked extensively on speed and aggression while preparing her for the tournament and she executed it well in Macau,“ Gopi said.

Sindhu enjoyed a phenomenal year in 2013.

After winning the Grand Prix Gold title in Malaysia in May, she went on to become the first woman’s singles medalwinner at the World Championships in August.

It was also India’s first singles medal at the Worlds after Prakash Padukone’s bronze in 1983.

She was then conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award after which, she enjoyed great success at the Indian Badminton League. Sindhu captained the Lucknow-based Awadhe Warriors into the final, where they eventually lost to the Saina Nehwal-led Hyderabad Hotshots.

With this victory, Sindhu cements her place as the next big thing in Indian badminton after the reigning queen, Saina.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Others Sports / DC / Vijay Anand / December 02nd, 2013

Rahul lifts State’s glory to greater heights

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Ragala Venkat Rahul / The Hindu
Ragala Venkat Rahul / The Hindu

Ragala Venkata Rahul wins two gold medals at the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship in Penang

Ragala Venkata Rahul, 17, lived up to the expectations with yet another impressive performance, winning two gold medals in the youth and junior categories at the ongoing Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship in Penang (Malaysia) on Friday afternoon.

Rahul has won gold in the 77-kg category with a combined effort of 301 kg (140 in snatch and 160 in clean and jerk). The A.P. boy came up with similar efforts in both the categories to clinch the honours.

“I am delighted. My coaches are expecting better results after my recent performances in international meets. So, there was a little bit of pressure, but thanks to the support of the entire Indian contingent, I could pull of a gold medal,” says a beaming Rahul, a student of A.P. Sports School, Hakimpet.

Rahul looks at the latest gold as a “huge morale-booster” for the coming year in which some big events are lined up like the 2014 Asian Games.

“I hope to continue my good work till that mega event and come back home with a medal,” says the shy weightlifter.

“Competition is tough at this level, and it is never easy to win gold in any Asian meet, as every country looks to this event as a preparatory event for the major events ahead,” he says, thanking his mentor and secretary of A.P. Weightlifting Association Badeti Venkatramaiah (also in Penang as a technical official).

Rahul bagged a gold medal in the 77-kg category with a combined lift of 310 kg at the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing (China) after winning three gold in the Asian Youth Championship early this year. His other notable performances include two medals in the IWF Youth Boys World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, early this year.

A.P. Sports School weightlifting coach Surmise Achou Singh of Manipur, who fine-tuned Rahul’s raw talent in the company of his deputy Pachipala Manikyalu, is not surprised.

“Rahul is a potential medallist in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He has all the qualities to be a world-class weightlifter, and more exposure at the highest level will only help to improve his performances,” attests the 67-year-old proud coach.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 29th, 2013

Local boy Ahmed wins Asian silver, creates waves

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Mohammad Ahmed with the silver medal he won at the recent Asian Rowing Championship, at the Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Mohammad Ahmed with the silver medal he won at the recent Asian Rowing Championship, at the Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

After a silver at the Asian Rowing Championship – the latest addition to the many feathers in his cap, this 20-year-old has set his sights on greater glory

For a sport dominated by personnel from the Services, 20-year-old local boy Mohammed Ahmed has managed to surprise, and delight all. He is now virtually the non-playing captain of the coxed eights Indian rowing team.

His recent silver in the Asian Rowing Championship in China shone bright in his smile as he returned to the Hussainsagar on Tuesday.

The son of Mohammed Ismail, a meat-seller from Kavadiguda, Ahmed took to the sport after one of his routine trips to the lake along with his father three years ago. Dronacharya Ismail Baig suggested the boy take up rowing. What ensued was rowing’s gain.

Ahmed won gold in the Kolkata Senior Nationals in the coxed four event, bronze in the Hyderabad Nationals in the coxed eight team and later a silver in the Asian championship later on in Korea. All these vindicated the faith shown by Baig, the untiring coach who has been shaping the destiny of most rowers in Hyderabad for close to 13 years now.

“I am enjoying every moment. Thanks to Ismail sir, I can now dream big,” the shy youngster says, even as he proudly displays his medal to his famed coach.

What exactly is this young rower’s role in a coxed eights event?

“Well, he is like a guide, telling the teammates when to accelerate in the course, how the conditions are at a given time. Otherwise, the rowers will be busy unleashing their power to keep up the pace. It is a very demanding job. Though he doesn’t row, it requires high levels of focus,” Mr. Baig says.

Ahmed, who adores cricketer Virat Kohli (he even tries to sport a similar hairstyle), plays cricket and badminton to relax after hard work in the waters. A student of St. Antony’s High School, this shy rower was only recently drafted into the CRPF, and will be reporting for duty next week.

“My next big target is to win a medal in the next year’s Asian Games and then think about the Olympics. I owe everything to my coach sir and to the Federation officials for backing me up,” Ahmed signs off.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – October 01st, 2013